Method and apparatus for sizing and lubricating bullets



July 2, 1945 w. G. STEVENS, JR 2,403,032

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SIZING AND LUBRICATING BULLETS Filed March 2, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 July 2, 1945- w. G. STEVENS, JR 2,403,032

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SIZING AND LUBRICATING BULLETS Filed March 2, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented July 2, 1946 METHOD AND APPARATUSA FOR ISIZING AND LUBRICATING BULLETS William G. stevens, Jr., sykesvil1e,Ma.

Application March 2, 1942, Serial No. 433,050

(Cl. Sli-19) 12 Claims.

This invention relates to bullet sizing and lubrir:ating devices, and particularly to a novel and improved machine by which solid lead alloy bullets can be accurately sized, properly lubricated and (if desired), have gas-checks afxed to their bases. The principles of the present invention are equally applicable to manual operation as Well as to machines where the devices are detachably associated with 'cartridgeereloading implements or their equivalents.

Solid soft metal bullets, such as are generally used in riiles and pistols, are usually cast of lead alloyed with tin and antimony. Such bullets, as they come from the mold, are not exactly true and must be sized to the correct diameter in order to properly fit the barrel of the firearm; furthermore, a lubricant must be evenly and positively compressed into the circumferential grooves of the bullets to prevent the soft metal from rubbing off under the intense heat and friction developed while passing through the barrel. Also, if the gas pressure which drives the bullets through the barrel is increased beyonda 'certain point, the bases of the bullets will be melted or fused by the hot gases and accuracy destroyed. To overcome this difficulty, shallow copper or brass cups called gas-checks are ailixed to thel bases of the bullets. However, it must beremeinbered that gas-checks lare usedonly when high bullet velocities are desired, and are not necessary with low bullet velocities.

Attention is directed to the fact that the bullets used today are of many designs, types and Weights. A machine for preparing this Varray of bullets for use in firearms must accommodate a great variety in order to meet the requirements of the marksman or hunter. Therefore, the present invention embodies a 'structure which is readily adapted to the use of interchangeable parts in order to accommodate thebullets of -diieren calibers, types, weights and lengths.

The primary purpose of 'my-invention is to:proe vide a simple, practical Aand inexpensive device capable of accomplishing the desired result. In this connection, the present invention vcontemplates the provision of novel-and improved bullet sizing Vand lubricating device whereby all 'neces`' sary operations of making bullets suitable for use in firearms are completed in a single work cycle.1 That is, the bullets are accurately sized and properly lubricated (and gas-checks aiiixed if necessary) in a single passage of the bullet through the apparatus herein described and illustrated.

An important object of the presentv invention is the provision of a bullet sizing and lubricating device embodying new accurately sizing the bullets-to a predetermined diameter. In this connection, the present invention contemplates theV provision of a plurality of highly efficient and comparatively inexpensive dies arranged in series and capable of allowing expansion of the bullet metal between adjacent end portions of the dies during various stages of the sizing operation, whereby the internal stresses and strains imposedl on the molecules or crystals Acomposing Vthe bullets are substantially reduced. Y Y Y *Y Anotherobject of the present invention is the provision of a, new and improved bullet s'izin'glandv lubricating device having certain novel features in connection with the means for feeding lubricant tothe bullet. Inthis connectiorLther pre" nt invention contemplates the provision of 1 antun*- attached or unitary friction held plunger which contacts a lubricant contained'w-ithin a reservoir placed in close proximity tothe bullet, 'as ares'ult of which, the duct communicating with'said reservoir and the bullet is substantially shortened so as to contain a relatively small amount of lubri-4 cant, By virtue of this particular feature/'the forcerequired to drive the :lubricant (Which-is very viscous) throughfsaid duct, is lsubstantially reduced, thereby eliminating the necessity 'for a high pressure lubricating system.` i Y Y Another object of the invention is to provide new and improved means for aii'ixing gas-check cups to the bases of bullets when desired. Since gas-checks-can'only be used on bullets made especially for them, their use is limited. The means provided to afx gas-checks preferably consists of a sleeve (split type preferred), arranged near the'mouth of the apparatus and adapted-tofrictionally holdthe gasecheck cup in place after the bullet has been inserted (ogive rst'). Said sleeve also holds'the previously inserted bullet rmly in place so vthat :contactfis made between'the gas-4 check and'thebaseof thebullet. Subsequently, anyoperating ramrdrives a suitable'pun'ch 'that contacts zthe Ygas-check iand `securely.aiiixes it :to

thev base y.of the bullet; .l

Afm-ther object ofthe presentinvention is'the provision of new and improved means for protecting the bases ofcertain types? of bullets :from eX- cessive and undesirable-application of lubricant. In this'connec'tion, the present invention contemplates the provision of suitable slugs or wads which are held in operating positionv bymeans of the previously referred to sleeve. contact the bases of the' bullets to prevent thev adherence of lubricant thereto.

'Sucht slugs'A Under certain conditions, it is desirable to provide means for receiving the bullets after they have been ejected from the apparatus in order to prevent injury to the soft bullet metal, and a feature of the present invention lies in structure for accomplishing this end.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent after a consideration of the following detailed description ofthe preferred structural embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, illustrating such embodiments, in which Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view, partially in elevation, showing the general relationship between the various elements of the invention. This gure illustrates means for attaching the apparatus to a Work bench.

Fig. 2 is a perspective View of the barrel and its collar.

Fig. 3 is a similar view of the split sleeve and barrel entrance member, used in applying a gascheck cup to a bullet.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of one of the dies.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view illustrating a hand supported modification in which the operating ram is provided with a punch havinga resilient tip.

Fig.,6 is a vertical sectional view, partly in elevation and with parts broken away, illustrating the elements assembled for use as a hand tool and'provided with an auxiliary receptacle for the reception of the sized and lubricated bullets.

7 is a perspective View of an embodiment of the apparatus showing an optional method of ejecting certain types of bullets.

. Fig. V8 is a perspective View of an embodiment of the-invention shown attached to a cartridgereloading implement or the like.

9 is Va fragmentary sectional view illustratingv particularly the means for use in afX- ing a gas-check cup to the base of a bullet.

Fig.` 10 is a perspective view of an unbroken sleeve which may be used instead of the split sleeve at the entrance end portion of the barrel.

IVFig. 11 is a fragmentary sectional view illustratng highly exaggerated sizing bores extending axially through the dies.

Fig. 12 is a similar View illustrating highly exaggerated die bores used in connection with gascheck bullets.

Generally stated, this bullet sizing and lubricating device is to be used in connection with soft metal bullets of the character previously described. The three main elements comprise: a plurality of dies arranged successively, end to end, and having coaxial bores successively decreasing in diameter throughout the greater portion of the lengths of the dies, and adapted to permit expansion of bullet metal between the adjacent endY portions of successive dies; a unitary friction held plunger contacting a lubricant contained within a reservoir placed in close proximity to the'adjacent ends of a plurality of said dies; and' a sleeve located at the entrance end of the apparatus. The above described dies may be tubular vand arranged within a suitable barrel having alubricant reservoir attached thereto; the sleeve being placed within a suitable member attached to the entrance end of said barrel. This particular structure is especially practical in that it permits replacement of interchangeable parts and the entire apparatus may be used as a hand tool, as an accessory to a cartridge-reloading tool, or it may be attached to a work bench.

Referring to Fig. 1, there is shown an embodi- 4 ment of the invention which has been selected for purposes of disclosure. This embodiment shows the apparatus mounted on a support pedestal I2 adapted to be secured by screws or the like, to a stationary object such as a work bench (not shown). The upper extremity of the pedestal is provided with external threads I2a having threaded engagement with the internal threads I5 extending radia-llythrough `a collar I4 (shown detached in 2). A lock-nut I3 serves to securely hold the collar I4 rigidly in position. A barrel I 1 (also shown detached in Fig. 2), is placed axially within the collar I4. The barrel is provided with a median port 53 having an outwardly tapering surface I8 designed to be tightly engaged by the extremity of the threaded nozzle I9 of a lubricant reservoir 28. Such nozzle is screwed into another radial threaded aperture I6 of the collar i4, and not alone secured the collarrigidly to the barrel but forms a seal with the tapered surface I8. The reservoir 20 contains the usual viscous, cohesive lubricant employed to grease bullets. A unitary plunger 2I slidably fits within said reservoir, and has a split piston ring-22at one4 end 'and a head 23 at the opposite end, adaptedto be struck by a suitable mallet or hammer when it is desired to force lubricant through. the passageway 24 extending. through the nozzle I9.

The barrel I1 has `a bore extendingaxially therethrough, provided with internal shop shoulders 46 and 21d designed to abut the Vinner ends of tubular dies 28 ,and 21 which are arranged coaxially within the bore of said barrel.. An entrance end portion of the barrel I1 is provided with internal threads` designed. to receive the external threads ofl an entrance member'25. Dies 21 and 28 have taperedbores (which will be described in connection with Figs. 11 and. 12), through which bullets are passed, and it is important to note that eachdie has an annular recess or groove`28d (Fig. l), 21a (Fig. 4), extending circumferentially therearound. `Such. recesses, or end portions ofreduced diameter, are arranged end to end, within the barrel II,` with a slight space between'the adjacent ends of the dies. l

To assemblethe dies within .the barrel, the die 28 is first Vintroduced throughY its internally threaded entrance/end, and Vmoved inwardly until the exit end of the die engages the stop shoulder 46 previously'mentioned. When so inserted, the annular recess 28d, which extends circumferentially therearound, will be positioned directly under the aperture 53 ofthe barrel I1. Then, the die 21 must be inserted, recess end first; that is,` the portion 21a of reduced diameter must be inserted first so that the annular shoulder 21c (see Fig. 4), will engage the internal stop shoulder 21d of the barrel. It should be noted that the restricted portion 21b'of the bore of the barrel I1 snugly fits the annular recess 21a of the die 21,'but there .is a space surrounding the annular .recess` 28d of; the die 28. Although the dies fit snugly within the barrel, they may'readily `be inserted by hand. Infact, a very tight t is not desirable, asthe dies have sufcient surface distributed 'circumferentiallv and in contact with the bore of the barrel, to insure a satisfactory co-axialposition. The space sur-` rounding the annular recess 28d communicates with the space between the extreme adjacent ends of dies 21 and 28 to form an 'annular'lubricant chamber 28h. Such annular lubricant chamber communicates with the "aperture 53 and the passageway 24. A split sleeve 26, shown in Fig. 3 (which may be unbroken, if desired, as shown in Fig. is inserted within the entrance member which is screwed into the entrance end of the barrel I1. Such entrance member is vscrewed into the threads 45 of the barrel I1'to hold the die 21 securely in position. The viscous, cohesive lubricant which is forced into the annular lubricant chamber 28h is sufficient to hold the die 28 in proper position.

Bullets are passed through the apparatus (Fig. 1) by means of a punch 32 having a suitable tip 32a at one end and a threaded portion, with a hole to receive a cotter pin (Fig. 6), at the other end.Y Such a, punch, numbered 34 in Fig. 5 is shown screwed into an internally threaded socket 48 which extends axially into an end portion vof a cylindrical ram 35 having diametrically opposite slots 36 to accommodate a cotter-pin 31 which is inserted through the `previously mentioned` hole in order to hold said punch 34 securely in place. The ,portion of punch 34 which extends outwardly and beyond the flat end 5B of the cylindrical ram 35 may be adjusted, Within small limits, to the proper operating length by removing the cotterpin 31 and turning the threaded portion of the punch 34 within the internally threaded socket 48. The cotter pin is again easily inserted within its hole when the slots 36 are in alignment. 0bviously, suitable punches of various lengths may be easily attached and detached; for example, the punch 15 (shown in Fig. '1) is considerably longer than the punch 34 shown in Fig. 5, and its tip, or end which contacts the bullet is entirely different; nevertheless, the ram 35 accommodates either punch, as explained in the disclosure following. The ram 35 is provided with a head 49 which vis struck with a suitable mallet or hammer in order to pass bullets through the apparatus.

In Figs. 11 and 12, the bore of the dies have been greatly exaggerated to indicate the shape thereof. In Fig. 11, the die 6I corresponds to the die 28, and the die 62 to the die 21. The die 52 has a bore 62a which gradually decreases in diameter from its mouth to a restriction B2b intermediate the ends of the bore. From the restriction, the bore is ared or of gradually increasing diameter, as indicated at 62o, to the exit end of the bore. The bore of the die 6l is of the same general shape as the bore of the die 62, but the restricted portion 6 la is of smaller diameter, than the constriction 62o. Due to this construction, the flared or adjacent endsof the bores form a chamber which is occupied by a bullet (|00) during lubrication, and while the lubricant is introduced, a wad 29 which precedes .the bullet into the bores will close the restricted portion Gla, of the die 6 I, while a slight space will be left between the bullet and the constriction @2b to allow the escape of air from the chamber occupied by the bullet into the portion 62a of the bore of the die 62.

In Fig. 12, the bores of the dies 63 and 64 are of the same general shape as the bores of the dies 6I and 62, but slightly modified to accommodate a different type of bullet Iila, with its gas-check 42. In Fig. 12, it will be noted that the punch 33 is guided by the sleeve 26 and held in axial alignment with the bores of the dies.

In using the fonm of the device shown in Figs. 1 and 11, for sizing police revolver bullets |00, a wad or slug 29 is rst introduced into the entrance end of the barrel. Then, punch 32 having a cavity 32a complementary to the nose of;

the bullet, is employedV to force the .bullet v`(base 6 lir'st), .substantially'through the bore of the die 21 and to a1 medial position where it may be lubricated. In such-.operationthe sleeve 26a guides the punch 32 Vand holds it in alignmentwith the bore ofthe -die 21. of course, inA travelling to lubricating position, the bullet would Abecompressed 'and sized by the die 21 (62) ,and `then it may expand kat thepoint where its annular groove `lill is vvto beprovided with lubricant. In travelling to this position, the base of the bullet will be in engagement with the yielding wad 29 so that the wad will tend to remove any lubricant ahead ofthe bullet, andthe base of the latter will -not be lubricated, as would be the vcase if the wad was omitted. As lsoon as the bullet reaches .the medial position and is stationary, the plunger 2l is struck a few light blows, and this will cause the grease to `flbwin spurts 'through v24, 53, and through v.the lannular .space between' the adjacent ends of the vdies soithat the proper amount of lubricant will enter and ll the groove lill.A Dur-v ing the lubricating operation, air .trappedfadjacentv tothe bullet will escape into the bore of the die '21 and from such bore to the atmosphere.' Now, a second wad y29 can be introduced into the mouth 'of the barrel, ahead of ase'cond bullet |60, and thepunch 32 can be employed .infdriving the second bullet to the medial position occupied by the first' one. In such operation, the second wad 29 will engage the` nose ofthe rst bullet and force it into the second die 23, after which f the second bullet is lubricated and the operation is continued with one bullet after another until the sizing and lubricating job is finished.

If` a rifle or 'game bullet llla is to be sized'and lubricated and provided with a gas-check 4-2 (Figs. 9 and 12), the bullet is introduced into the mouth of the barrel, nose first, and it will begfrictionally engaged or grasped by the sleeve. 26 (shown detached in Fig. 3). check cup A42 is introduced into theA mouth of the barrel at the-base of the bullet, and'then, if punch 33 isforced inwardly against the Vgas-check-it will cause the latter to frictionally attach itself to the bullet as the latter enters the rst'die. Of course, when the bullet has been driven to the lubricating position, it may be lubricated inthe same manner as described in connection with Fig. l. Then, a longer punch may be employed in driving the bullet through the second die 28 and out of the barrel; or suitable wads `may be used, if desired. Y

AIf a punch is to be employed in the treatment of target bullets i001), as illustrated in Fig. 5, the

, tip of the Ypunch can be provided with a yielding insert 3| which will engage the nose of the bullet without distortingV or marring the later. In treat'-A ing target vbulletsQIisubstitute afdie 28:1: for the die 28, and the reduced portion 'of this Vdie is pro-v vided with spaced holes 43 so that the lubricant may reach two of the grooves of the bullet through these holes while it' reaches the other groove of the bullet Vthrough the space between Athe adjacent ends of the dies. In treating target bullets, it is advisable to usewads 30 to prevent the lubricant from being deposited on the bases of the bullets andi to supply a cushioning effect Vbetween bullets which are forced through the dies one after the other.

In the structures shown in Figs. 5 and 6, it will be noted that the device has been detachedfrom the'pedestal l2, and'is simply held in one of the operators hands, while he is using the other hand for actuationof thelubricant plunger andi the` ram 35. When the device is so used, a receptacle At this tilme,fa gas- Y 7 40 (Fig. '6) can be attached to the exit end of the barrel by means of screws 4| which enter the threaded apertures I 9a of the barrel. The receptacle will be provided with a stopper 39, the removal of which will allow the discharge of the bullets and/or slugs.

As shown in Fig. 7, if the device is used for Spitzer bullets |c, they are introduced into the barrel, nose first, then, an operating punch can be employed to drive the bullet through the main portion of the rst die, and into the lubricating position. Then, a long punch 15 can be used to force the lubricated and initially sized bullet through the second die and out of the barrel.

Instead of mounting the device on the pedestal I2 or holding'it in one hand during the operation, it may be employed in connection with a cartridge re-loader 200, indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 8, and of the type shown in Patent Number 1,933,940, dated November '7, 1933. In this form of the invention, the barrel l 1a, with its appurtenances, may be mounted in the upper arm 20| with the mouth or entrance end of the barrel lowermost, and the punch 32a: which is to enter the barrel may be secured t0 a sliding element 202 which moves toward and away from the barrel under the influence of linkage 203 actuated by a handle 204.

From the foregoing it will be understood that in the general operation of the device, a bullet is placed in the mouth of the apparatus, and a suitable punch attached to an operating ram is inserted; a few light blows with a mallet or hammer on the anvil of the ram, and the head of the lubricating plunger accomplishes the desired result. The ejection of the bullet is automatic. However, it may be desirable to eject certain types of bullets by means of a second punch, as explained above. Furthermore, it should be noted thatv it is advantageous to use cylindrical wads composed of a yielding material such as rubber or leather which may be inserted ahead of the bullets in a manner previously described. However, the use of such wads is optional.

The sleeve located at the entrance end of the apparatus is an important feature of the invention and not only guides the operating punch, but functions to position wads or bullets axially with respect to the bore of the adjoining die, thereby insuring proper alignment. be split or it may be solid, and it should be understood that the split sleeve 26 (shown detached in Fig. 3), is adapted to open slightly and grasp, or frictionally hold any gas-check, wad, or bullet, when such objects are inserted within the bore of the sleeve. It is advantageous to use the split type sleeve in connection with a cartridge-reloader,fsuch as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 8, because, in this form of the invention, the apparatus is mounted with the entrance end lowermost, and 4inserted wads, bullets, or gas-checks will be held securely in place and not drop out before the operating punch 32:1: is inserted. In any event, the split sleeve 26 should be used when it is desired to aii'ix a gas-check to the base of a bullet, because it is important to position the gascheck properly, and it must be held firmly in place so that proper contact will be made with the base of the previously inserted bullet. The solid type sleeve (shown detached in Fig. is not adapted to grasp, or irictionally engage inserted wads, bullets, or gas-checks, and is employed in connection with forms of the invention that do not require this grasping feature, such, as illustrated in Figs.` 1, 5, 6 and?,

Such a sleeve may With respect to the lubricating system, it is im`- portant to note that the lubricant contained within the reservoir 20 (see Fig. 1), Ais not iiuid, but viscous and cohesive, and usually contains some air imprisoned within the main/body of said lubricant (such small air pockets are formed during the process of manufacture). .At the time that the head 23 of the unitary plunger` 2l is struck by a suitable mallet 0r hammer (in a manner previously described), the air imprisoned within the lubricant is compressed and causes a pressure Within the reservoir 20. However, the passageway 24 is restricted to such an extent that the force required to drive the viscous lubricant through said passageway is greater than the force required to move the unitary plunger 2| outwardly. Consequently, any expansion, due to air pressure from within the lubricant, is compensated by anoutward movementY of the unitary plunger 2|, and the annular lubricant chamber 28bis free from such undesirable air pressure. Therefore, the bullet opening extending through the apparatus is protected at all times from excessive and undesirable deposits of lubricant. Of course, the force of a mallet blow applied to the head 23 of the plunger 2| will cause a pressure sufficient to overcome the resistance offeredby the passageway 24. In this connection, it is important to note that a succession of light blows applied to the head 23 will cause the lubricant to iiow in spurts and will compress `lubricant into the grooves of a bullet more effectively VVthan a single blow of greater force; because, a succession of blows will cause a succession of instantaneous pressures which will function to separate and move to the point of least resistance` any air bubbles which may be trapped within the annular lubricant chamber 28D. That is', the air will be displaced intermittently and will filter through the grease in the slight space surrounding a portion of the bullet. The slight space just mentioned was described in connection with Figs. 11 and 12. The slight space constitutes the point of least resistance, and allows passage of air, but oiers a considerable resistance to the viscous 1ubricant, thereby functioning as a lter orvpercolator.

While I have disclosed what I now consider to be some preferred embodiments of the invention in such manner that thesame may be readily` understood by those skilled in the art, it is manifest that changes may be made in the details dis-V;

closed, without departing from the spiritoffthei invention, as expressed in the claims. What I claim and desire to securerby` Letters Patent is: l y i 1. An apparatus of the character described, comprising a bore having an entrance end, die means arranged in the bore, a grasping sleevefinthe bore between said die means and the entrance end of the bore, and means for pressing a gascheck cup against the base of a bullet while it'is held by said sleeve and for subsequentlyforcing the bullet with the gas-check cup ail'ixed thereto through said die means in a direction away from the entrance end of the bore.

2. An apparatus of the character described;

means away from the entrance end of lthe bore.;- 3. A method of sizing andlubricating groovedA bullets, comprising forcing a bullet through an opening and into a chamber, applying lubricant to the bullet grooves in spurts, thereby displacing the air within said grooves intermittently through said opening, and compressing lubricant into the grooves of the bullet.

4. In a bullet sizing and lubricating device, a barrel having an entrance end, tubular dies arranged end to end in the barrel and each having a bore decreasing in diameter away from the entrance end of the barrel, means for forcing a bullet through said dies in a direction away from the entrance end of the barrel, means for introducing a lubricant into the barrel where the adjacent ends of the dies are arranged, one of the last mentioned ends of the dies being of reduced outside diameter and forming with the barrel an annular passageway, and ports in the reduced portion of said die placing said passageway in communication with the bore of that die.

5. An apparatus of the character described, comprising a barrel having an aperture intermediate the ends thereof, die means arranged in the barrel, a collar surrounding the medial portion of the barrel, a reservoir having a, nozzle extending through the collar into the aperture of the barrel, said aperture being arranged in close proximity to said die means, a passageway extending through the nozzle and communicating with the aperture, and means for forcing lubricant from the reservoir through said aperture to the die means.

6. An apparatus of the character described, comprising a bore having an entrance end, a plurality of tubular dies arranged coaxially in the bore in end to end relation and having confronting ends arranged in spaced relation to one another to provide with the bore an annular space between adjacent ends of the dies, means for forcing lubricant into said annular space, and means for forcing a bullet through the dies in a direction away from the entrance end of the bore.

'7. The combination with a, cartridge-reloader frame of the type having a plurality of spaced arms, of a barrel detachably connected to one of said arms, said barrel having a bore extending axially therethrough and provided with an entrance end, die means arranged in the bore, a grasping sleeve arranged in the bore between the die means and said entrance end and adapted to frictionally hold an object inserted through said entrance end, and means slidably mounted in the other arm of the cartridge reloader for forcing a bullet through said sleeve and said die means in a direction away from the entrance end of the bore.

8. An apparatus of the character described, comprising a bore having an entrance end, coaxial tubular dies arranged in end to end relation in the bore, a grasping sleeve in the bore, between through said entrance end, and means for pressing a gas-check cup against the base of a bullet while it is held by said sleeve, and for subsequently forcing the bullet with the gas-check cup aiixed thereto through said dies in a direction away from the entrance end of the bore.

9. An apparatus of the character described, comprising, a substantially vertically disposed bore having an entrance end at the lower extremity thereof, die means arranged in said bore, a grasping sleeve in the bore between said die means and said entrance end, and adapted to frictionally hold an inserted object against the force of gravity, and means for forcing said object through said sleeve and said die means in a direction away from the entrance end of the bore.

10. An apparatus of the character described, comprising a bore having an entrance end, a plurality of dies arranged in end to end relation in the bore and having confronting ends spaced apart to provide with the bore an annular chamber between adjacent ends of the dies, each die having a bullet passageway, decreasing in diameter away from said annular chamber, means for supplying a lubricant to said chamber, and means for forcing a bullet through the dies in a direction` away from the entrance end of the bore.

11. An apparatus of the character described comprising a bore having an entrance end, die means arranged end to end in the bore with the adjacent ends of the die means spaced apart to provide an annular groove, a lubricant reservoir f arranged in close proximity to said die means and having a passageway for leading lubricant from the reservoir to said groove, and a unitary plunger having a portion slidably mounted in the reservoir for forcing lubricant from the reservoir through said passageway to the groove of a, bullet positioned between said dies and in alignment with said first mentioned groove. Y

12. The combination with a cartridge-reloader frame of the type having an upper arm and a lower arm spaced therefrom, of a barrel detachably connected to the upper arm, said barrel hav- 

